Colleges that run pro style offenses?

[mattrice]

Just wondering if anyone knows all of the colleges that run pro style offenses. Also, does a QB have to come out of a pro style offense to be successful in the NFL. Which QB's have gone on to stardom from non-pro offenses?

[YAYareaRB]

Just wondering if anyone knows all of the colleges that run pro style offenses. Also, does a QB have to come out of a pro style offense to be successful in the NFL. Which QB's have gone on to stardom from non-pro offenses?

I don't know about Pro-Style offenses but I do know that coming from one helps a whole lot.

[Malaka]

USC, Ohio State, Washington... are some that I know.

[JFLO]

Georgia is another, as well as Iowa and Michigan State.

EDIT: I know Georgia is, I'm about 70 percent sure on Iowa and MSU.

[AntoinCD]

Just wondering if anyone knows all of the colleges that run pro style offenses. Also, does a QB have to come out of a pro style offense to be successful in the NFL. Which QB's have gone on to stardom from non-pro offenses?

Drew Brees has been pretty good

[wonderbredd24]

Drew Brees is probably the biggest success story in the NFL right now to come from a non pro style offense

He's also the best argument for a quarterback succeeding from a predominately shotgun offense, although it took him a few years and almost being written off as a bust to do so

[wonderbredd24]

Drew Brees has been pretty good

beat me to it

[DJC]

Miami Hurricanes

[Staubach12]

USC, UCLA, Ole Miss, Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas, Notre Dame of course, Ohio St, Florida St. off the top of my head.

The difference is when you move from college to the NFL, your WRs are going to be running the same kinds of routes, your dropbacks will be the same, you'll see similar looks from defenses, you'll be making pretty much the same throws. Basically you just have an easier learning curve.

[ToldLikeItIs]

Iowa runs a Pro-Style offense yes.

Big Ten teams: Michigan State, Iowa, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Penn State has a pretty complex offense, 60 pro40 spread.

[mattrice]

Is Brees the only QB coming from a non pro style college offense currently starting in the NFL?

[mattrice]

Doesn't Cal run a pro offense?

[wonderbredd24]

Is Brees the only QB coming from a non pro style college offense currently starting in the NFL?

It just depends on how people choose to categorize them

Ben Roethlisberger, Chad Pennington, and Byron Leftwich all came from similar type offenses... I would not consider them pro style, but some people might.

[Bald_81]

Is everyone forgetting Joe Flacco? He took almost all of his snaps from the shotgun at Delaware and I believe they ran a spread offense...

[bhaarat316]

USC, UCLA, Ole Miss, Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas, Notre Dame of course, Ohio St, Florida St. off the top of my head.

The difference is when you move from college to the NFL, your WRs are going to be running the same kinds of routes, your dropbacks will be the same, you'll see similar looks from defenses, you'll be making pretty much the same throws. Basically you just have an easier learning curve.

what? What is the difference

[Don Vito]

Ole Miss uses some gadget formations (wild rebel), but we run mainly a pro style offense. Snead is usually under center with two or three receivers and either an I-backfield or a single back set. In our passing game; the ball is spread around quite a bit amongst the receivers, tight ends, and backs.

[scottyboy]

Rutgers runs a pro style offense. Part of the big reason Teel was drafted and why Savage will be the 2013 #1 overall pick

[Sniper]

Ohio State's incorporated some spread elements into its offense recently, most notably the Troy Smith era and the current Terrelle Pryor era.

USC is probably the "purest" pro-style O in the NCAA.

[wonderbredd24]

Ohio State's incorporated some spread elements into its offense recently, most notably the Troy Smith era and the current Terrelle Pryor era.

USC is probably the "purest" pro-style O in the NCAA.

Ohio State loves them some Pistol

[FUNBUNCHER]

I think most schools in the ACC run primarily pro style offenses; UVA, Wake Forest(?), Miami, FSU, UNC, NC State, Maryland, Clemson, Duke and Boston College.

[the decider13]

Is Brees the only QB coming from a non pro style college offense currently starting in the NFL?

Kyle Orton played at Purdue running a spread.

[mattrice]

Wake Forest runs a pro-style offense? Then why doesn't Riley Skinner get more attention? Is it just because he's "only" 6' tall?

[ElectricEye]

Wake Forest runs a pro-style offense? Then why doesn't Riley Skinner get more attention? Is it just because he's "only" 6' tall?

That, arm strength, and just being generally not as talented as top prospects at that position have something to do with it as well.

I think everyone covered most of the well known pro-style offenses. There's actually a lot more than people think.

[SchizophrenicBatman]

because they dont. wake's offense is about as gimmicky as you can get. also, skinner has gotten progressively worse with every season he's been at wake

NC State's offense has some spread elements with Wilson at the helm now. Once he leaves it's likely it reverts back to a normal pro-style though

[BGB]

Minnesota switched to a pro style offense this year

[YAYareaRB]

BYU is kinda in the middle. There's a junk load of shotgun formations but they run a good amount of single back / full back type stuff.

[ToldLikeItIs]

Vanderbilt runs a pro-style as well.

[YAYareaRB]

Doesn't Alabama run a pro-style?

[JFLO]

Doesn't Alabama run a pro-style?

I believe so, but they throw in some gadget stuff every now and then, like the Pistol and Wildcat.

[MichaelJordanEberle (sabf)]

Kyle Orton played at Purdue running a spread.

No wonder he sucks.

[RCAChainGang]

what? What is the difference

The difference between being groomed in a pro system rather than a spread or something in college.

[ToldLikeItIs]

Spread quarterbacks aren't generally good professional players, for example:

Danny Wuerfel, Akili Smith, Tim Couch, Josh Huepel, Jason White, Troy Smith, Rex Grossman, Andre Ware, Vince Young.

[yourfavestoner]

Spread quarterbacks aren't generally good professional players, for example:

Danny Wuerfel, Akili Smith, Tim Couch, Josh Huepel, Jason White, Troy Smith, Rex Grossman, Andre Ware, Vince Young.

I think we have cause and effect mixed up when it comes to spread quarterbacks.

Look at the list you just provided. The only one on their that even comes close to having a physical skillset to succeed in the pros is Rex Grossman - and even he is seriously lacking in the height and decision making department.

It's not that the spread makes these the translation to the NFL harder, because most spread offenses require their quarterbacks to still make difficult reads and put the ball in the right place according to what the defense is doing. What the spread really does is hide a quarterback who is unable to push the ball downfield by stretching the field horizontally with multiple wide receivers. It requires them to make NFL type reads but not NFL type throws. The spread maximizes these quarterbacks strengths and hides their weaknesses.

[FUNBUNCHER]

I think we have cause and effect mixed up when it comes to spread quarterbacks.

Look at the list you just provided. The only one on their that even comes close to having a physical skillset to succeed in the pros is Rex Grossman - and even he is seriously lacking in the height and decision making department.

It's not that the spread makes these the translation to the NFL harder, because most spread offenses require their quarterbacks to still make difficult reads and put the ball in the right place according to what the defense is doing. What the spread really does is hide a quarterback who is unable to push the ball downfield by stretching the field horizontally with multiple wide receivers. It requires them to make NFL type reads but not NFL type throws. The spread maximizes these quarterbacks strengths and hides their weaknesses.

Keen analysis.

[jayceheathman]

New Mexico State is getting closer to a pro style offense with Walker now taking away Hal Mumme's "Air Raid" offense.

[rfc17]

I think the pro style/college spread offense debate is overblown. I dont think playing in a pro style offense is college is going to have a major impact on a QB's success when moving on to the NFL. I think a player either has the talent phsyically and mentally or he doesnt.

The problem is that the college spread hides a QB deficiencies. But the spread itself does not prevent a player from developing into a good QB(assuming of course they throw the ball down the field). If a QB is running an option oriented spread where its a lot of running and the majority of passes are bubble screens then yea, itll hinder his development as a passer. Otherwise Im not sure it matters.

I know its splitting hairs, but I dont think the idea is that playing in a pro style offense in college makes a QB better, I think the idea is that the spread makes average QBs look better than they are so it makes recruiting them more difficult.

Good QBs can come from anywhere. If theyve got the talent and theyve had the opportunity to throw a lot in college, it doesnt matter if they are running an I formation pro style or a 5 wide shotgun spread attack.

[FUNBUNCHER]

Call me crazy, but I always assumed playing QB in a spread offense in college was the perfect background to excel in the precision, mid-range passing WCO in the NFL. The short drops and the quick reads by the QB in a WCO seem very similar to the looks a college QB has in the spread.

After the 2010 draft, when McCoy, Bradford, and Tebow are all in the NFL, we'll have first hand evidence if three of the best spread college system QBs in years can transition to being quality NFL players.

IMO, Colt Brennan who's now with the Skins and came from a spread system at Hawaii has been noted in Skins training camp for his ability to make much faster reads with the ball than the current starter Jason Campbell. Brennan's problem is all his reads aren't always the right ones.

[JT Jag]

Alabama plays out of the pro style for the most part, but we've been running the Pistol quite a bit lately.

We've also experimented some with the Wildcat, but it's still in development. That said, 90% of our plays are under center.

[ElectricEye]

I think we have cause and effect mixed up when it comes to spread quarterbacks.

Look at the list you just provided. The only one on their that even comes close to having a physical skillset to succeed in the pros is Rex Grossman - and even he is seriously lacking in the height and decision making department.

It's not that the spread makes these the translation to the NFL harder, because most spread offenses require their quarterbacks to still make difficult reads and put the ball in the right place according to what the defense is doing. What the spread really does is hide a quarterback who is unable to push the ball downfield by stretching the field horizontally with multiple wide receivers. It requires them to make NFL type reads but not NFL type throws. The spread maximizes these quarterbacks strengths and hides their weaknesses.

Eh, I suppose it's up for debate, but I don't agree that those guys busted for lack of talent. Akili Smith, Tim Couch, and Vince Young all had the physical skillset to succeed. Ware had a pretty good set of physical tools as well. Young is debatable as far as if his game ever really transitioned to the NFL, but his arm is strong enough and he's got the height. Of all those guys, Couch was the most perplexing bust. He had most of what you look for in a guy coming out of college outside of entire "Air Raid" offense.

I agree with the general sentiment that the spread isn't death to a quarterback. It is, however, not the ideal situation to evaluate a quarterback coming out in. The need for the quarterback to make reads sounds nice in theory, but it could also be argued that it's not setting them up for NFL reads, where most of what is happening is much further down the field(although not necessarily) and you're seeing it from an entirely different angle most of the time.

I think this batch of spread quarterbacks will really be telling as far as how much of a detriment the offense is. We're only going to see more of it in college, so the pro guys better figure out how to transition these guys if it is hurting them developmentally.

[Bosanac01]

Doesn't Boston College run a pro style offense? Matt Ryan anyone?

[JT Jag]

ElectricEye: I contend that Tim Couch wasn't a bust, it's just that the Browns were so bad back then that any quarterback would have failed.

[ElectricEye]

ElectricEye: I contend that Tim Couch wasn't a bust, it's just that the Browns were so bad back then that any quarterback would have failed.

There's something to be said for that as well. However, if you define bust by talent/success, Tim Couch was a bust. He was done by the time he left them too. Had he been in a better situation, things could have turned out better for him for sure.

[Bezerk]

Also Maryland does

[rfc17]

Eh, I suppose it's up for debate, but I don't agree that those guys busted for lack of talent. Akili Smith, Tim Couch, and Vince Young all had the physical skillset to succeed. Ware had a pretty good set of physical tools as well. Young is debatable as far as if his game ever really transitioned to the NFL, but his arm is strong enough and he's got the height. Of all those guys, Couch was the most perplexing bust. He had most of what you look for in a guy coming out of college outside of entire "Air Raid" offense.

I agree with the general sentiment that the spread isn't death to a quarterback. It is, however, not the ideal situation to evaluate a quarterback coming out in. The need for the quarterback to make reads sounds nice in theory, but it could also be argued that it's not setting them up for NFL reads, where most of what is happening is much further down the field(although not necessarily) and you're seeing it from an entirely different angle most of the time.

I think this batch of spread quarterbacks will really be telling as far as how much of a detriment the offense is. We're only going to see more of it in college, so the pro guys better figure out how to transition these guys if it is hurting them developmentally.

Well even QBs from pro style college offenses can be busts. QBs can be busts for many reasons. Some dont have the mental ability, some dont have the accuracy, etc...

Again I just dont buy the idea that the spread is a detriment to QBs(unless of course as i said before its a spread where its mostly run option and the passes arent going more than 10 yards down the field). I think the spread makes the job of evaluating these players much more difficult! But thats an entirely different conversation.

I get that its helpful for a college QB to be in a system that has them make NFL reads. But how much more helpful is it really? Its not like they are going up against creative NFL defenses with NFL quality defenders. how often will these guys be looking for a cover 2 with zone underneath and then throwing the 20 yard out? even the same play will be different just because of the quality of the defenders. the rule of the thumb for QBs is that in high school they can wait for a WR to be open and looking at them, in college they can wait for the guy to come open, but in the NFL they have to throw before the guy is open or has even made his break.

Of the three, Tebow, McCoy, and Bradford, if any of their systems is a detriment, I would say its Tebow's just because there is a lot of QB option/running. Plus many of the throws are bubble screens or just long bombs. not tons of intermediate throws. and i think thats the key. Just because you are running some 4 or 5 wide spread offense doesnt mean you arent making NFL throws down the field.

[Iamcanadian]

The only teams truly using a pro style offense are those who are coached by ex NFL HC's and it is probably a slight advantage for their QB's if they have real pro talent. Certainly, USC, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh and a few others run pro style offenses but they hardly are as complicated as a pro offense is and the defenses they face aren't likely to be anywhere near as confusing as a pro team will run. Sanchez looks like he will be a big success, Quinn hasn't done much as of yet and Leinart has done nothing so it is no guarantee of success.
In the end talent and intangibles will decide which QB's succeed and which ones fail no matter what college offense you come from.

[Xiomera]

Michigan . . . oh wait, nevermind. http://www.draftcountdown.com/forum/images/icons/icon8.gif

[abaddon41_80]

California and Boise State are both mostly pro-style offenses

[mellojello]

Article of pro vs. spread qb's and the challenges they face transtitioning into the NFL.

http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20090424/ARTICLES/904239905?Title=Will-spread-hurt-Tebow-

[WCH]

Michigan . . . oh wait, nevermind. http://www.draftcountdown.com/forum/images/icons/icon8.gif

Ironically, Michigan's cross-town rival, Eastern Michigan, is running a Pro Style offense this season.

[TheGM]

The spread makes evaluation tough. I would like to point out two things selecting a QB is a roll of the dice. How many teams passed on Tom Brady over and over, he played in a very traditional offense at Michigan and looked pedestrian now he is a stud in a refined version of the spread. Jamarcus Russell put up numbers (3128 yards, 28/8 TD/INT, 67.9% CMP) in the SEC, in a traditional offense, with all the physical tools in the world and he can't run the simplest version of the Raiders offense. Bottom line saying the spread is bad for QBs is lazy.
Skill set is the key to being a successful QB in the NFL.
Accuracy, I'm not talking about completion percentage, I'm talking about ball placement. Throwing the ball so that the receiver can maximize the play.
Reading Defenses, pre and post snap a QB has to understand what the defense is doing and know what to do with the ball.
Stand and deliver the ability to throw under duress, when it is 3rd and 7 and he knows that they are bringing the house can the QB stand in and deliver the ball like there is no one around.
Mindset, The QB has to be a leader, student of the game, dedicated to getting better, and a competitor, someone who relishes the opportunity to have the ball in his hands when the game is on the line because he believes to his core that he will win.

If a guy has these things than it doesn't matter what system he came from.

[WCH]

How many teams passed on Tom Brady over and over, he played in a very traditional offense at Michigan and looked pedestrian now he is a stud in a refined version of the spread.

I agree that a lot of his success is due to the system he plays in, but I don't agree that Brady looked "pedestrian" at Michigan. He was stuck between the son of an NFL legend his first couple of seasons, and the top recruit of the country for his last couple of seasons. Nevertheless, he was always the most effective QB for Michigan. If you go back and read old articles, Drew Henson would screw things up in the second or third quarter (they split time) and Brady would have to try to make up for Henson's mistakes. And he frequently did.

His problem going into the draft, was that his own coaches and fans didn't find him as sexy as Brian Griese or Drew Henson; and he was a bit chubby at the Combine.

[TheGM]

I'm not saying he was bad at Michigan, obviously Brady is talented. I'm just pointing out that the spread isn't the problem when it comes to evaluating talent. I think teams and coaches fall in love with an aspect of a player like his running ability or arm strength and lose track of making sure the player has a functional tool set.